Power plant



E. WILCOX May 28, 1946.

POWER PLANT Filed sept. 2e, 1941 s sheets-sheet 1 .OAQBGNKSUU INVENTOR EVERETT WILGOX ATTORNEYS www..

May 28,1946. E. wlLcox 1 2,406,899

yPOWER PLANT Filed Sept. 26, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet L lNvENToR EVERETT wlLcox n m BY ATTORNEYS May 28, 1946. E; wlLcox POWER PLANT File-d sept.'2e, '1941 INVENTOR EVERETT WILCOX ATTORNEYS MayZS, 1946. E. wlLcox i POWER PLANT Filed sept. 2s, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 |NvENToR EVERETT wlLcox C ''ATTORNEYS E. WILCOX POWER PLANT Filed Sept. 26, 1941 May 28, 1946.

e sheets-sheet s` lNvENToR EVERETT wlLcox Patented May 28, 1946' Application September 26,'1941, Serial No. 412,478

6 Claims. (Cl. IBG-,44)

(Granted under the eet er Meren s, Issa, es l' @einen This application is made under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended by the act of April 30,

1928, and the invention 'herein described, if patented, may be manufactured and usedby or for the Goverment of the United States of Americaforgovernmetal purposes .without the payment to me of any royalty thereon. t

This invention relates to power plants energy of the gas into useful work.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of such a device which will generate gases from hydrocarbon oils such as gasolene, crude oil.

. kerosene, and others, and which. will burn the amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) `.Referring with mere particularity to the drewings, in which like numerals designate like parts,

, end it is more particularly concerned Vwith a devi 4which generates gases under` pressure and delivv ers them to a means for converting the potential fuel completely before it is exhausted from the power converting means.

Another object of this invention is the provision of such a device in which the gases are generated continuously, substantially without any intermittent action. l

. A further object of this invention is the provision of such a device which will furnish a continu ous ilow of Power without reciprocating motion or reversal in direction of any part. Other objects and advantages of this inventio will be apparent from the following description considered together with .the accompanying drawings, villustrating an embodiment oi this invention, in which drawings:

Figure lis alongitudinal section. Figure 2 is an end view otthe turbine side. Figure 3 Sure 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of Figure 1. e

`Figure 5 is a section along the line E-iof vFigurer Figure 6 is a vertical section' of 'the stationary cone of the turbine 4unit with the rotatable cone partially removed in'elevation. I

Figure I is a longitudinal section through the genesrator indicated along the line l-'I of Figurel Figure 8 is a partial section along the line 8-8 of Figure '1Q the section being curved parallel to is a sectionalong lthe line `1 21 of the embodiment illustrated comprises two general units, namely, the generator II and the turbine I2, both oit which are mounted on a common shaft I3, suitably supported for rotation in sta-y tionary bearings I4 and I5.

The generator comp es a rotor or wheel I6 xed to'the shaft I3 for rotation therewith. Said wheel includes a hub Il, an outer rim I8 and a plurality of equally spaced spokes I9, the spaces 20 therebetween, from one side of the wheel to the other, being where combustion charges are v introduced. The wheel I6 is held between two stationary plates 2| and 22. These plates extend outward radially beyond the rim I8 of the wheel where they are held against the opposite faces of the wheel by means of bolts 2 3 under tension of springs 24. Tension in the springs 24 is adjustable by means of nuts 25. x t

A sealing band 26, wider and somewhat larger indiameter than the periphery of the wheel I6.

v is concentrically disposed between the' plates 2l and 22 and is held in annular grooves 21 and 28 on the inner faces 29 and lo of the plates 2l and 22, respectively. Gaskets 3| and 32 are provided between the 4band 2i and the grooves 2l and 28 .to eect an air-'tight closure.

Through the" plate 22 an air intake port 32 is 30V provided having andrea sumcient to cover one :being preferably three vane; to, Aeach pinion.

the periphery of the wheel I6 as indicated in Figures 3 and 4. I

Figure 91s e partiel section elone the une s-s of. Figure 2. t

Figure 10 is avsection along the line I0--I0 of Figure V1.

Fisurell isa developed section along the line t or rieure 4. t

.or more of the spaces 20 and it is connected to the delivery side of an'air compressor-QI, ox the multistage centrifugal type powered from the shaft I3.

The spokes I9 mesh with a pair o tcooperating pinions 35 and 2l .disposed onopposite sides of the wheel II through the 'plateau 22' there These pinions have axial shafts II and II extendingtherefrom which-are rotatablyv earricd in bearings n and n in thepietee :rana zz, respectively, at one 'end of the air intake port 33. The pinions and 36 are enclosed by housings 4I and l2 integral with the plates 2I and 22. The housings 4I and 42 are rounded on the exhaust sides at GIA and 42A, asshown in Figures 8 and' 11, so that the gas-,in the spaces 20 willnot be l trapped as 'the spokes I8 pass into the housing cavity. and the ygas being expelled by the pinions 35 and 38 begins escaping behind spokes I8 be-l' fore these pinions close the spaces 20.

The vanes of the pinions II and 36 as they mesh with the spokes I9 till the spaces 20 and 4thus scavenge them just before they are opened to the air intake port 33.' Consequentlthe e curvature of the venes ofI the pinions and that of the fact that theirof the I9'must be such as to permit this function, such as cycloidal.

Beyond the other end of theport 33 fuel ining the housings 4I and d2, the hub I1 and spokes I9 are provided with passages through which a cooling nuid is circulated. The passages 4S through the spokes open into the space d1 between the sealing band :3 and the rim I8 at one end and. into an annular passage 48 in the yhub I1. 'I'he hub I1 extends outwardly into the plate 22 which is provided with a bearing surface e9. The cooling fluid is introduced into the passage di! from a pipe line E tapped in through the plate 22 and is withdrawn through a pipe line I tapped in through the sealing band 26 whence it is returned to the pipe 60 after passing through a suitable heat exchanger 52.- Power to circulate the cooling uid through this circuit is suptween the ends of the spokes 13 to permit the air forced inward to escape laroundthe hub.

l0 The solid parts of the plates 2i and 22 includplied by a gear pump 52A and by centrifugal force f developed in the fluid in the passages of the spokes I9 as the wheel rotates. The passages 53 and 54 in the plates 2| vand 22 are supplied with cooling uid through inlet pipes E5 and 66 tapped into the Jpipe 50 by a connecting pipe 51. 'I'he outlet pipes for these passages are designated by the numerals `Iii! and 59. which pipes are tapped into 'the pipe 5I by means of a connecting pipe 50.

The turbine comprises two -concentric trun- I cated cones, theouter cone 6I being hollow and stationary. the smaller end of which is concentrically secured to the outer side of the plate 2l about the exhaust port 45. The second cone liii'is disposed within the cone BI and is fixed to the 'shaft I3. The smaller-endet the cone 62 abuts the center ofithe outer. side of the plate 2l. 'I'he cone 6I is provided on its inner surface with spiral grooves 63 expanding toward the larger end of the cone, at which en d they are closed by an annular lip 63A of the cone SI. These grooves are formed by ribs of ns 6l. The cone 82 is also provided with spiral grooves 85 expanding toward lvthe larger end, but these formed byv ribs or fins 6B in contact with the uns 64. The spiral grooves 85 are open at the outer end and are generated in the opposite direction from that of the grooves 83 so that the fins 64 and. cross each other at sharp angles. The pitch and length of the cones, the number of grooves and the angles between them may be varied to obtain different operating conditions.

IOn the inner surface of the inner cone, a cooling jacket 01 is provided which is integral with an annular passage about the longitudinal hub 69 of the ycone. On the outer end of the hub 69 stationary blades 10 are nounted about the shaft I3. The blades 10 are held stationary by virtue hub' 1I is integral with or fixed to the bearing I4. The blades 10 are housed in a casing 12 integral with the outer wall of the passage 68 and extends about the bearing I4, with which said casing is rotatably engaged. The casing 12 is connected to the coolspokes 13 so as to provide continuous paths for grooves are carried on the outer surface and are 1s opened to the exhaust port es to contact the hot gases off-preceding combustions. In starting. however, itis necessary to` use the Aignition plugs M until the-temperature of the combustion gases in the exhaust port is suicient to ignite the mixture. The burning of the fuel takes place continuously as it passes vinto the exhaust port and into the grooves of the cones where combustion is completed. The combustion gasespassing through the exhaust port enter the turbine and are expanded in the spiral grooves 83 and 65. Should any fuel mixture have insufficient time to completely fburn before leaving the exhaust port .it will continue to burn in the spiral grooves so that no power is lost due to incomplete combustion. As the gases change direction continuously through the grooves they act against the fins 68 of the inner cone, which action forces it to rotate. At the larger end of.

the turbine al1 of the gases are forced outward through the grooves of the inner cone due to the fact that the grooves of the stationary cone are closed at this end.

As the spaces 20 leave the exhaust port they are engaged :by the vanes of the pinions 35 and 36 which push the gases out, thereby acting as mechanical scavengers, and prevent these gases from re-entering until the spaces pass through. At least one of the vanes of each pinion is a1- ways in contact with its respective housing, and at least one other of the vanes of each pinion is always in contact with at least one of the spokes I9 of the wheel I6. Consequently, an eiective barrier is maintained to prevent gases escaping from the high pressure side of the wheel I6 to the low pressure side. This scavenging eiiect by the vanes of the pinions clears the spaces 20 for receiving a fresh charge of compressed air from the compressor 3l.

dially by the stationary blades 10 and conse` quently the liquid is circulated through the spokes 13,-Jacket 61 and annular passage 68, back to the circulating acoohng Md through the jacket 'IBA of casing 12.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: t

' 1. A power plant comprising a spoke wheel mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith, said wheel having a continuous rim, the spaces-between the spokes and rim from one side of the .wheel to the other forming fuel chambers, non rotatably mounted plates covering the sides of saidwheel, means vfor urging said plates against the sides of said wheel, the plate von one side having an opening therethrough for the induction air under pressure to charge said spaces with receiving relation with the exhaust opening, the

heat generated by the combustion in said combustion chamber oi previously delivered charges serving to ignite fresh combustible charges of the fuel chambers as the charges are successively exposed to said exhaust opening, and mechanical scavengers between said openings for said cham- Y bers, said scavengers operating on the sides of said wheel, and being engaged and driven by the spokes of said wheel. Y

2. A power plant comprising a spoke wheel t mounted on a shaft for rotationl therewith, said wheel having. a continuous rim, the 'spaces between the spokes and rim from one side of the wheel to the other forming' fuel chambers, nonrotatably mounted plates covering the sidesrof said wheel, means for urging said plates against the sides of said wheel, the plate on one side having an opening therethrough forV the induction of air under pressure to charge said spaces with compressed air as they pass said opening, means for injecting fuel into said spaces as they pass beyond said opening to form combustible charges therein, the plate on the other side having an opening therethrough for the exhaust of said combustible charges, means for optionally igniting combustible charges -in said spaces beyond said fuel injecting means, a combustion 'chamber in receiving relation with the exhaust opening, the heat generated by the combustion in said combustion chamber-of previously delivered charges ,being utilizable to ignite fresh combustible charges of the fue1 chambers as the .charges vare successively exposed to said exhaust opening,

said wheel, means for urging said plates againstthe sides of said wheel, the plate on one side having an opening therethrough for the induction of air under pressure to charge said spaces with compressed air as theypass said opening, means wheel to the other forming fuel chambers, nonrotatably mounted plates covering the sides of said wheel, means for urging said plates against the sides of said wheel, the plate on one side having an opening therethrough for the induction of air under pressure to charge said spaces with 4compressed air as they pass said opening, means for injecting fuel into said spaces as thfy Dass beyond said opening to form combustible charges therein, the plate on the other side having an opening therethrough for the exhaust of said combustible charges, a combustion chamber inY receiving. relation with the exhaust opening, the

heat generated by lthe combustionin said' combustion chamber of previously delivered charges serving to ignite fresh combustible charges of the fuel chambers as the charges are successively exposed to said exhaust opening, pinions carried by said plates between said openings for scavenging said fuel chambers, and passages for circulating a cooling fluid through said wheel and plates,

the passages through said wheel including radial passages whereby when liquid is in said radial passages, the rotation of said wheel creates a. centrifugal'force which'tends to move said liquid through said radial passages.

5. A power plant' comprising a spoke wheel mounted ona shaft for rotation therewith, said wheel having a continuous rim, the spaces between the spokes and rim from one side of the wheel to the other forming fuel chambers, nonrotatably mounted plates covering the sides of said wheel, means for urging said plates against the sides of said wheel, the plate on one side havposed to said exhaust opening, a pair of pinions rotatably carried opposite each other by said plates adjacent to the sides ofthe wheel,V the vanes of said pinions being disposed to mesh with the spaces of said wheel as it rotates. said pinions being in housings integral with said plates for injecting fuel into said spaces as they pass beyond said opening -to form combustible charges therein, the plate on the other side having an opening therethrough lfor the exhaust of said combustible charges, a, combustion chamber in receiving relation with the exhaust opening, the heat'generated by the combustion in said cornbustion chamber of previously delivered charges and communicatingwith the space between said plates, there being a suiicient number of vanes on said pinions so that atleast one of the vanes of each pinion is in contact with its respective housing and another in contact with the wheel. 6. A powerv plant comprising a `spoke wheel mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith, said wheel having' a' continuous rim, the spaces'bea said wheel, means for urging said plates against the sides of said wheel, the plate on one sidehaving an opening therethrough for the induction of air under pressure to charge said spaces with compressed air as they pass said opening, means for injecting fuel into said spaces as they pass beyond said opening to form combustible charges Y the 76 Vceiving relation with the exhaust opening, the

`liest generated by the combustion in said com' bustion chamber of previously delivered charges serving to ignite fresh combustible charges of the fuel chambers as the charges are successively exposed to said exhaust opening, scavenging means for said chambers, passages for circulating a cooling uid through said Wheel and plates, the 4 passages through said wheel including radial passages whereby when liquid is in said .radial pasmfugsi rome which tends to move said liquid lthrough. said radial passages, and an annular bandspaeed around the rim or the wheel and sealed between said plates, the space between Sages the rotation of said wheel creates a cen l@ 

